Europe faces new technologies

The IE Center for Change Governance has published the study European Technology Insights 2023, about the relationship between new technologies (AI, data economy…) and European citizens. The report shows the results of surveys on a variety of topics, from the EU’s role in technological development and its regulation, to the possible impact of AI on society, or the willingness of Europeans to undergo brain implants to enhance their abilities. The report shows how society is preparing to introduce automation and technology into everyday life, but is concerned about the impact on employment, privacy or inequality.

Key points from this report:

• The internet must be open and global, but still regulated. According to the report, 91% of Europeans believe that the internet should be regulated, and 66% think that regulation should be global and open. 88% of those interviewed think that the EU should play an active role in technological development, through the promotion of new technologies or a more competitive regulatory framework.
• AI must be regulated effectively to protect society and be held accountable for any harm it causes. In line with the rapid evolution of AI, public concern about its possible impacts is increasing. 68% of Europeans think that, to protect jobs from being replaced technologically, automation should be regulated. This is clearly a consequence of the recent push towards generative AI; Another revealing data is that only 27% of those surveyed believe they can detect AI-generated content.
• There is widespread distrust of the data economy. People are still not sure that their data is truly safe online, despite technological advances. 69% of respondents believe that storing personal information on physical devices is safer than in the cloud, and 74% believe they are more likely to experience theft online than in real life. Additionally, the data economy is seen as an accelerator of economic inequality and not an opportunity for social welfare.
• Technology applied to the health sector is the technology that generates the most trust. Although, as expected, most Europeans trust the diagnosis of (human) doctors more than AI systems, science and health are areas where the application of technology generates more trust. More than a third of Europeans will have brain implants that will improve their cognitive abilities, and 58% believe that CRISPR (gene editing) technology will have positive results and impact.